Controversial Connection
Cole Allen, the alleged shooter who reportedly opened fire during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, has been identified as a video game developer. This shocking connection has led to a surge of attention on Allen’s 2018 Steam release, “Bohrdom.”
Who is Cole Allen?
According to Polygon, Allen is a self-described game developer and engineer. His Steam profile describes him as the creator of “Bohrdom,” a game marketed as a “skill-based, non-violent asymmetrical fight.” The irony of a developer who created a non-violent game now being accused of a violent act has not been lost on the gaming community.
Review Bombing Phenomenon
Following the news of Allen’s alleged involvement in the Trump shooting incident, gamers have been rushing to Steam to purchase his gameâthough not to play it. Instead, users are buying “Bohrdom” with the sole purpose of leaving snarky and negative reviews. This practice, known as “review bombing,” has become a common way for the gaming community to express disapproval or make political statements.
The Ethics of Review Bombing
While it’s understandable that people want to express their outrage, the review bombing phenomenon raises questions about the purpose of game reviews. Traditionally, reviews are meant to inform potential buyers about the quality and content of a game, not to serve as a platform for political commentary or judgment of a developer’s personal actions.
Impact on the Gaming Community
This incident highlights the complex relationship between creators and their work in the digital age. When personal actions become public, there’s often a rush to separate or condemn the art from the artist. In this case, the gaming community is using Steam’s review system to pass judgment not just on the game, but on its creator.
What This Means for Steam
For Steam, this situation presents another challenge in moderating user-generated content. The platform has historically taken a hands-off approach to review bombing, treating it as an expression of consumer opinion. However, as these incidents become more politically charged, Valve may need to reconsider its stance.
For gamers interested in purchasing titles without controversy, platforms like TURGAME.com offer a wide selection of game codes and gift cards without the political entanglements that sometimes accompany direct developer purchases.
Source: Destructoid